My father is everything I despise; everything that I don’t want to be.
Flashback of the college boy last night to her apartment has me shaking with pent up anger.
The moment that I glimpse of her, I cannot believe my chances. Of all things, I never expect that she’ll be living next door. But all hope is ruin when that college boy shows up at her door.
He looks every bit the perfect guy Olivia seems to be looking for. The boy doesn’t have skeletons in his closets or a fuck up upbringing that messes with his life. And the fact that Olivia has glimmer in her eyes as she looks at him and he to her makes me all the more desperate.
No one ever has this much hold on me. I never let anyone have that much power over me. I’ve seen how much love can do to a person. It poisons them, and in the end, the love they think they have turns into disaster.
I have to get rid of her before this madness gets out of hand.
*
Olivia
Lorina asks me to stay, and I can’t turn down her requests. For all of her kindness, a simple wish won’t hurt me.
“You may take use of your office.” She leads towards a spacious room right next to Luke’s office.
I have enough privacy here and my working space to be at ease. It’s sad that I won’t be able to vacate it except today.
I turn to Lorina. “Are you sure? I can be in a cubicle and still be able to perform a job properly.”
“Oh dear. There’s no doubt in that, but since I’m asking a favor from you, I want you comfortable. So, is this alright with you?”
I can’t believe that she’s asking me this. The woman is kind to her soul. I wish everyone can be like her, thoughtful about others not just her own.
I’m excited to get starting today if not for the incidence that happens.
“Give me what needs to be done, and I will do my best, Lorina.”
She laughs, the corner of her eyes crinkling. “Alright. I’ll have you settled first then I’ll send the papers here afterward. Get yourself accustomed to your place first then you can start.”
She leaves with a promise to send the files that need sorting and encourage me to look around the facility.
The oak desk is neatly done with a comfortable leather swivelling chair and an advanced computer in front of me. There’s also a coffee machine which is a plus if I am going to work here. At the thought of a busy work with easy access coffee makes me skittish with excitement. It sucks that I won’t be experiencing any of those, so I have to stop dreaming.
It’s not so long when Lorina come back with the paper works. I’m so excited to get my hands-on work that I can’t wait until Lorina finally leave me on my own.
I find myself so focused on the job that I don’t notice the time. Lorina reassures me that there’s no need to finish everything today, but I can’t seem to stop. It’s until I look at the digital clock on the table which reads almost eleven p.m.
My body feels stiff from sitting all day that I stretch my arms and legs and yawn loudly. Von, one of the employees in our section works over time as well. We got introduce with each other earlier, but I’m too engrossed in my work that I never have the chance to eat lunch with them.
Von pokes his head in the door I pack up.
“I know that you want to impress the big boss, but this is just over top girly!” Von remark with his pitchy voice.
I gather my things and turn off the system, stalling for time. Everyone in our floor thinks that I already got the position as his secretary, showering me with congratulations and asking for celebration as a part of the team.
Lying doesn’t bode well with me.
Stacking the files together, I say, “I love being surrounded with paper works. I just don’t happen to have the luck to get the job.”
A moment of silence pass before he replies.
“I don’t remember telling you that you didn’t get the job, Olivia.”
My back goes ramrod, making me still on my spot.